Ben's Baptism

Ben was baptized on Sunday morning by Pastor Tom. He did a fantastic job. He was quiet and sort of just checked everything out. Kate loved standing up in front of the church and so sweetly said "aww" when Tom baptized him. She loves her baby brother. Maggie was also excited to be up front, but she loved laying down on the kneelers. I did have her get up for the actual baptism but while Tom was talking at the beginning, she was relaxing! That girl is a mess!

Enjoy the pictures!



With Mimi and PopPop

With Glammy and Papaw

With Pastor Tom

Tom is telling Kate that having Ben
baptized shows that Jesus loves him and Maggie
interruped and said "I can twirl!"

Happy Mother's Day

Even though I didn't get to spend the entire day with my kiddos, my time with them once we got home from Paris was great! The girls were dying to show me what they had made for me at school and also show off the flowers that they had ordered for me (actually daddy did the ordering!). My best Mother's Day present was coming home to Kate, Maggie, and Ben and having them so excited to see me and love on me. I am a blessed mommy!!

What a fun surprise to come home to!

Kate's gift to me that she made
at school. It says: My mom is the most
wonderful mom in the world!
Her name is Kelly.
She is as pretty as could be, always.
She is 40 years old.
She has green eyes and brown hair.
She weighs 8 pounds and is 1 foot tall.
Her favorite food is pasta.
In the good old days when she was little, she
liked to nap.
I think Mom is funny when she scares me and I
run away.
I wouldn't trade my Mom for candy.
I love my Mom because she is special.
Happy Mother's Day!

Maggie's gift to me. It says:
I am like a flower.
That's raised with love by you.
You help me grow up
big and strong.
Mom, thanks for all you do!

A Week in Paris

Ryan and I just returned on Sunday from a week long trip to Paris with his grandparents, Nan and Bumps, and his cousins and spouses. There were 12 of us enjoying our trip together. We had a great time. We did alot of sightseeing and even more eating. I'll never be able to do the trip justice so I'll just overload you with pictures.

And while we were enjoying a week away, Mimi and PopPop were babysitting. Needless to say, everyone in our house is getting readjusted. Us to the time and having 3 kids again and our 3 kids are getting reacquainted with our rules!:)

Our first picture with the Eiffel Tower
cruising along the Seine

White robe breakfast in Nan and Bumps'
room

Brett and Ryan

With Kylie and Will at La Tour d' Argent

With Hayden and Kylie at dinner - it was a 4 1/2
hour dinner with 12 courses!

Harry's - the place that invented the Bloody Mary

Cocktails at Bar Plaza Athenee - Darren, Will,
and Ryan

The girls on our way to the Louvre - me, Hayden,
Nan, Kylie, and Heidi

The boys on the way to the Louvre - Darren, Brett,
Ryan, Bumps, Clark, Will, and Barrett

Post dinner drinks on Heidi and Barrett's
balcony overlooking the Eiffel Tower

Dinner at La Cinq at the Four Seasons - it was our
last night in Paris

Ryan and Nan enjoying a cocktail before dinner

Happy Easter!

Sweet Ben is 5 Months Old

These last 5 months have flown by. Ben is such a good, good baby and a big baby! At his 18 week check up (right after he turned 4 months) he weighed 16 lbs. 13 oz. and was 25 inches long. That was the 82% for both height and weight. So while Ben is big, he's proportionate!:)

Some 5 month highlights:

Ben squeals very loudly

he is really starting to bat at the toys hanging on his playmat, carseat and swing.

he is also starting to get the hang of holding onto toys.

he has a dog lovie that he's starting to get attached to...we'll see

enjoyed his first Easter egg hunt

slept through his first trip to the zoo

Ben continues to be very loved, especially by big sister Kate. It's like she can't control herself around him and is constantly in his face, squeezing him, talking to him, and loving on him. Good thing he likes her, most of the time! Maggie and Ben are also bonding alot more these days. She loves to talk to him and when he smiles at her, she gets super excited.

Maybe next month he'll have turned over and/or be working on sitting up. We'll probably start solid foods in the next month so maybe we'll have that to report about as well. Until then, we'll keep loving and kissing on this sweet baby boy of ours.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears

Since today is Good Friday, both the girls and Ryan have the day off. Kate and Maggie were given a choice between going to the zoo and seeing a movie. Kate wanted the zoo and Maggie wanted a movie. However, after some big sister persuasion Mags caved.

We all had fun and it was a great morning to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Happy Good Friday!

Their favorite - the penguins

Posing with the rhinos

A rare shot - me with my sweet kiddos

Daddy with his girls...and a zebra!

A very sleepy Ben (it was his first trip to the
zoo and I'm pretty sure he didn't care!)

Little Red Hen

Kate's class performed a "mini opera" on Wednesday, The Little Red Hen. Kate was a flower and had to wear pink, which suited her just fine. The videos of her and her fellow flowers singing aren't that great so you'll just have to settle for pictures. Everyone did a great job and Kate was thrilled to perform!

The flowers - Lauren, Avery and Kate

Taking a bow

Kate and Lauren enjoying cake and juice
after the big show